CH8 Lab tests for IRON

What does Serum Iron measure?

TRANSFERRIN IRON

Iron in circulation (on transferrin)

What is seen in Serum Iron values throughout the day?

Values will VARY throughout the day

What does Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC) measure?

Measure transferrin CAPACITY

How is Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC) done?

Adding excess iron → measuring binding sites

What is the formula for Percent Transferrin Saturation?

Serum Iron / TIBC x 100

What does Prussian Blue Stain do?

Stain iron BLUE to show FERRITIN in MARROW

What does Ferritin measure?

Storage of iron

Too low = iron deficiency

Too high = inflammation/overload

Which assessment is an indicator of FUNCTIONAL iron available in cells?

Soluble Transferrin receptor

STfR

What does the assessment of Hemoglobin Content of Reticulocytes help with?

Tells us the iron AVAILABLE for NEW RBCs

What does low Reticulocyte Hemoglobin indicate?

Low = Marrow not getting iron

What does a high sTfR/log Ferritin ratio indicate?

High = true iron DEFICIENCY

What does a normal sTfR / log Ferritin ratio

Anemia of chronic disease

What does the Top Left of a Thomas Plot indicate?

Normal iron

What does the Top Right of a Thomas Plot indicate?

Early deficiency

What does Bottom Left of the Thomas Plot indicate?

Functional Deficiency (ACD)

What does Bottom Right of the Thomas Plot Indicate?

True Iron deficiency

What is Zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP)?

When there is an Iron deficiency, ZINC takes the place of IRON

What happens to Zinc Protoporphyrin when iron is low?

ZPP INCREASES with LOW iron

When is Zinc Protoporphyrin seen most?

Seen in iron deficiency or lead poisoning